Natural history of non-functioning pituitary neuroendocrine tumours: impact of baseline characteristics and gender-specific clinical presentations
Authors' conclusion
Gender significantly influences NF-PitNETs presentation, with males harbouring larger, more symptomatic tumours whereas females tended to have an earlier detection. However, long-term progression seems to be independent of gender.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with non-functioning pituitary neuroendocrine tumours (NF-PitNETs) under active surveillance or treated surgically, with or without adjuvant therapies
- Participants
- 170 patients
- Exposure
- Males vs females; surveillance vs surgery
- Outcome
- Gender impact on presentation and progression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Males had larger tumour dimensions and higher prevalence of visual field defects and endocrine dysfunction vs females
- Women, particularly under surveillance, had smaller tumours, often detected earlier
- Progression rates were similar between genders
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Five-year tumour growth risk under surveillance, macroadenomas vs microadenomas · 5 years
P = 0.030
Five-year tumour growth risk under surveillance, macroadenomas vs microadenomas · 5 years
- Baseline tumour volume and visual impairment predicted progression under surveillance
Surgical cohort outcomes
- Residual tumour increased progression risk
- A > 40% volume reduction was associated with visual improvement
Trouillas clinicopathological classification
- Not predictive of outcomes
Adjuvant therapies (stereotactic radiosurgery, temozolomide)
- Stabilized disease in most treated cases
Original publication
Natural history of non-functioning pituitary neuroendocrine tumours: impact of baseline characteristics and gender-specific clinical presentations. Pituitary. Published 27 March 2026. doi:10.
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